Ten top tips for placing siblings

Our relationships with our brothers and sisters are potentially the most long–lasting of our lives. For children, full, half and step–siblings can provide comfort and reassurance as well as a crucial means of learning who they are by comparing themselves to important others. However, siblings can sometimes be a source of conflict and a barrier to emotional recovery from trauma. How can social workers take these complex variables into account whilst ensuring that any decision made about placing siblings is in the best interests of each child?

Ten Top Tips for Placing Siblings explores the different, often conflicting, principles involved in placing looked after brothers and sisters. Using a refreshingly child–centred approach this practical guide emphasises the importance of getting to know each individual child as well as considering the needs of the sibling group as a whole. Points to consider are presented throughout offering food for thought on a range of issues as well as appropriate action to be taken.

Each of the ten chapters presents a basic “tip” in an accessible and straightforward style, whilst case studies are used to highlight what works and what does not.

Issues covered include:

• Keeping siblings together or helping them to part
• Listening to each child and getting to know the sibling group
• Using kinship care when placing siblings
• Recruiting and preparing families for specific sibling groups
• Supporting siblings and families after placement

This is the fourth title in BAAF